After a Dramatic Rescue, a 'Terrible and Painful Decision'

Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world, is seen in Pakistan. (AP Photo/Musaf Zaman Kazmi, File)

(Newser)
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Climbing partners Elisabeth Revol and Tomasz Mackiewicz are believed to have achieved their goal of reaching the summit of Pakistan's notorious "Killer Mountain" in winter—but at a terrible cost. The pair called for help from Nanga Parbat on Friday and Revol, a French national, was brought down early Sunday after a dramatic overnight rescue effort by a team of Polish climbers who'd been on the nearby K2 peak, the BBC reports. Revol, who is being treated for extreme frostbite on her hands and feet, had become separated from Mackiewicz. Treacherous weather conditions made it impossible for the team to reach the 42-year-old Polish citizen, who had snow blindness and altitude sickness, and he has now been declared dead, the AP reports.

"The rescue for Tomasz is unfortunately not possible—because of the weather and altitude it would put the life of rescuers in extreme danger," Revol's trainer, Ludovic Giambiasi, wrote on Facebook. "It's a terrible and painful decision. All our thoughts go out to Tomek’s family and friends. We are crying." Fellow climber Masha Gordon says leftover money from a frantic effort to raise funds for the rescue mission will be given to Mackiewicz's widow and their three children. The effort paid for a military helicopter to bring the Polish rescuers to Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth-highest mountain. This was the seventh expedition to the mountain for Mackiewicz, whose love for the peak had been described as "verging on mania," the New York Times reports. (At least 60 people have died on the mountain, including two who perished last year.)

Why do we use government resources to rescue foolish people who put themselves in harm's way?

fedcamper

Jan 29, 2018 3:24 PM CST

Maybe climbers should be required to pay a very hefty "Rescue Insurance" fee before they are granted access. In the event a rescue is required, it could be paid for by the fund. Anyone who doesn't pay: Sayonara, nice knowing you. Of course, no rescue party would be required even for the insured if the conditions were too bad. But, you pays your money and you takes your chances. At least it recompenses the others you put at risk.

LoLzS

Jan 29, 2018 2:51 PM CST

I could not imagine going to help & realizing you have to leave a country men behind.